Half-Bear, Half-Cat: Musings of a Native

There are scoffers out there who doubt the quality of music education in this great state.

Some non-natives are shocked, for instance, that Tennessee fans seem to know only one word to their fight song: "Whoo!"

Nonsense. They are just too drunk to remember the rest of the words. All native Tennesseans learned them in kindergarten. I still remember most of them.

As another example, here's a little gem I learned in pre-school:

Did you feed my cow? (Yes, Ma-am)
Could you tell me how? (Yes, Ma-am)
What did you feed her? (Corn and Hay)
What did you feed her? (Corn and Hay)

Did you milk her good? (Yes, Ma-am)
Now did you milk her like you should? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did you milk her? (Squish, Squish, Squish)
How did you milk her? (Squish, Squish, Squish)

Did my cow get sick? (Yes, Ma-am)
Was she covered with tick? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did she die? (Uh, Uh, Uh)
How did she die? (Uh, Uh, Uh)

Did the buzzards come? (Yes, Ma-am)
Did the buzzards come? (Yes, Ma-am)
How did they come? (Flop, Flop, Flop)
How did they come? (Flop, Flop, Flop)

You can't find cultural experiences like that everywhere, people.

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be British

This post from Daily Snark plus the current Potter-mania reminds me how much of an Anglophile I used to be. I still love most things British, but when I was in grade school I was ready to pack up and move at a moment's notice. Okay, and in college, too.

Actually, when I was really young, like 8, I wanted to be a princess. An Irish princess. One of those members of nobility who inherits an awesome castle but doesn't actually have any responsibility. I had it all worked out in my head -- at the time, I didn't know much about my dad's family except that 1) they were Scotch-Irish and 2) my dad's father had died before I was born. So I figured that just maybe some ancient relative somewhere across the pond would pass away without any direct heirs, and somehow my dad would inherit a castle, and I would be a princess, and .... yeah....

But I grew out of that, and just decided that I would move to England someday and adopt the accent.

Well, I'm still here in Nashvegas, but hubby did make sure I got to visit beloved England -- we went for our honeymoon, and it was fantastic!

I have to say that Paul hasn't helped my Brit obsession. To my childhood obsessions with British literature, Sherlock Holmes, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and WWII British espionage, he has added a fondness for Robbie Williams, Jeeves and Wooster, and The Prisoner. We both have developed an appreciation for DangerMouse and The Avengers.

I'm not planning a move any time soon, though. Not while the Preds are still here, at least.

I Got Attacked By School Supplies at Target

I went to Target today in search of flip-flops and new pillows. Little did I know what awaited me there.

Aisles, baskets, and bins full of every imaginable pen, notebook, folder, eraser, etc. It was beautiful.

I have a fascination with school supplies, in the same category as my fascination with The Container Store.

The dollar section at the front of the store was the most hazardous, with glittery pencils, multi-colored pens (you know, like the pens from the 80s), colorful erasers, and cute animal stickers with googly eyes ..... I barely escaped without a purchase. I was not as successful in the folder aisle, however, where a Chococat folder JUMPED INTO MY BASKET AND INSISTED ON GOING HOME WITH ME.

I'm still regretting that I didn't purchase that pack of glittery pencils, though .... le sigh......

Random Thoughts from the Day

1. They drugged me!
So, Pepsi handed out free drinks at the Predators rally. I grabbed one as I was headed to my non-air-conditioned car, relieved to see that it was diet (sugar and I don't get along very well). I wished I had looked more closely at the bottle before drinking it -- turns out it was a diet energy drink, and if there is anything my body hates more than sugar, it is caffeine. So that explains why I was terrifyingly grumpy and mean when I got home, and also explains why I am still awake.

2. I feel sorta guilty.
One thing being emphasized with the push for Predators tickets is the importance of corporate ticket sales. With my newly-formed company, I would love to support the Preds with a season ticket plan. Right now, however, all my capital is going to inventory and advertising. Maybe at some point I can join with some other East Nashville small businesses to buy partial plans.

3. I was hoping my Harry Potter book came today.
When I got home from the Preds rally, I saw a package on my doorstep. I hoped against hope that it was the new Harry Potter book, but no such luck. It was a phone book. In my wishful thinking I had decided that perhaps the publishers released the book earlier after it was leaked to the internet.

Whee! Go Preds!

Just got back from the Preds rally. Tons of fun.

Over 7,000 people showed up. Lots of fun promotions -- free ice cream from Purity, free Pepsi (from Pepsi), prizes, etc. The pro shop had all merchandise at 50% off -- and 80% off for season ticket purchasers.

I was at the Sommet Center from 1 to 4pm, then again from 5:30 to 7:30. Watched quite a bit of the radio broadcast, and got to see Eklund, the anonymous hockey blogger.

Saw two mayoral candidates -- Karl Dean and David Briley. Extra points for them!

The rally was decent....there were a few moments at the beginning when we were just standing around, bobbing our heads to the techno, wondering what was supposed to be happening. That would have been a great time for the dancers to lead the crowd in some cheers....maybe remember that for next year, Preds peeps.

The rest of the rally was pretty good, though. The highlight for me was watching Willy Daunic hit a rogue Red Wings fan in the face with a pie. Goofy, yes, but it continued a Nashville tradition of torturing Red Wings fans.

As of 8pm, 704 season tickets have been sold today. Good job, Pred nation!

For more details and pictures, check out Paul's blog and Flickr account.

Preds Rally Tomorrow!

The Preds ticket rally is tomorrow. You should go. Here's why:

• Keep hockey in Nashville
• Support the downtown businesses that depend on Preds games for winter income
• Meet Paul and me (I'll probably be wearing this hat)
• Free entertainment -- bring the kids!

Be sure to wear your Preds gear. If you don't have any, no worries. You can buy a t-shirt from the Save the Predators booth. Another option is to check out SportSeasons at Rivergate Mall. They have Preds shirts for under$12 right now.

Check out Paul's blog for a schedule of events.

10 Ways to Go Green AND Save Money

Just wanted to pass along this handy post from Wise Bread. I was familiar with a few of these suggestions, but some of them (#4 and #8, especially) are new to me.

10 Ways to Go Green and Save Money at the Same Time

Me wants it!

Over on Keetsa! Blog I just found this nifty under-the-counter recycling sorter. I have been wanting something like this.....I had considered asking the Home-Ec 101 ladies if they could recommend efficient ways to store recyclables that wouldn't be too unsightly in my kitchen. This looks like a great solution to me.

So here it is, from Simple Human:

Now I just need a good sorting solution for our rec room. No counters there...

My Husband Is the Best One*

*in honor of The Dick van Dyke Show episode

Paul did two really awesome things for me today.

First off, he sat with me all day at a craft fair in East Nashville. I set up a ghia booth at the fair, and Paul faithfully stayed with me as I peddled my wares. Well, he stayed with me when he wasn't back at the house gathering all the things I forgot. (It was a great day, by the way -- lots of interest, and several sales.)

THEN, when he got home, he pre-ordered the new Harry Potter book for me! Just because he likes me! (And probably because he thinks I'm cute when I start theorizing about how it's all going to end.)

I will NOT be an accessory to your crime ...

Unlike Lindsay, I have found that readers generally find my blog through fairly mundane searches: "ice cream" "cat rescue" "sommet group"

But recently, my stats showed that someone in the UK found my blog by searching for "I fried my husband."

I don't even want to know . . .

Interestingly, the IP address showed that visitor as being from Bath.

This is entirely your fault

I'm bored. Nothing new on the blogs. That means it's time for . . .

RANDOM INTERNET QUIZZES!!!!!!!OMGPONIES!!1!!!

Which Stargate Character Are You?

Dr. Daniel Jackson: You are open minded and considerate - basically an all around nice person ... and did I mention stubborn? Take this quiz!

Confessions of an Easy Listener

This is an embarrassing admission, but it is part of my past, and I feel it is important to acknowledge.

For much of my early life, my music of choice (and of ignorance) was easy listening. That's right. Not just cheesy music -- a certain amount of cheese (Bon Jovi, ELO) is respectable for any child of the 80s. But I'm talkin' Delilah-SoftRock-Toto-Celine easy listening.

The soft rock station was my alarm in the morning, and I listened as I got ready for school.

In my adult years I try to counter the childhood damage by listening to lots of indie rock and jazz, along with some classical and electronica. The wounds still emerge occasionally, though, like when I am in the grocery store and I start singing along to the muzak.

You're the meaning in my life,
You're the inspiration . . .

Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time
You are near?
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you.

The extent of my cheesy past still shocks my husband occasionally. I mean, he knew I was an Andrew Lloyd Webber fan when he married me, but sometimes I horrify him with a proclamation that I love some recent Top 40 hit (Rihanna's "Unfaithful") or with a rendition of a Celine Dion song (ouch, that one is really embarrassing). In fact, I think Paul can sense that cheesy music is on my mind right now, because it sounds like he is trying to block out any soft rock vibes with the soundtrack to one of the Indiana Jones movies.

Now see, that just reminds me of the soundtrack to the 1984 version of Dune, written by ... Toto! And the circle of easy listening is complete.

One interesting side effect of my "soft rock" childhood is that I can sing Euro dance pop with the best of them (or at least lip-sync and look like a fool while driving the car). Tune in to WRVU Saturday afternoons, and I can just about guarantee you will hear some 70s or 80s pop song rehashed as a dance mix, complete with power strings and abnormally high vocals.

GRRRRRR....

I was almost finished crocheting a hat.....I put the ears on it (yes, ears), but I decided they were too big and started to take them off the hat. I made a wrong cut somewhere and ended up destroying the entire hat.

That was very frustrating.

Things like that are extra frustrating after 11pm, when my brain wants to stay awake and make another hat but my body says no.

New Products and Such

So, I've been slaving away at the business for the past couple of weeks.

I've added lots more products and some new graphics. Currently I'm working on posters and fliers to help promote the store. If you want some, lemme know. Oh, and Paul created a fun web ad for blogs and such.

So here's a run down of some of the new stuff:
We recently added clothing from StarCat Designs and American Apparel, including an organic cotton 'Peace' t-shirt. Remember last month's "It's in the Bag" sale to benefit Blood:Water Mission? We picked up a few of our favorite bags and now our offering them to our customers. We also have new jewelry designs from Freckle Dog, by East Nashvillian Ariana Terrell.

I'm getting ready to sent out a newsletter with a special discount for subscribers, so sign up for that at www.shopghia.com to save some money.

Oh, and I added a blog post on myspace that explains some of the terms I like to use when talking about my products. Here's an excerpt:

Fair trade. Independent. Socially responsible.

What's the meaning of it all? It's easy to toss around some catchphrases, but do they matter?

Here's a quick guide to what some of these terms mean to us.

Independent: These products aren't designed by corporations. They are designed and crafted by creative types trying to make a living through art. Examples at shopghia.com include Freckle Dog and StarCat Designs.

Fair trade: Organizations that are "fair trade" pay workers and artisans fair wages for their work and ensure proper working conditions (no sweatshops, no child labor, etc.). These organizations also work with the communities involved to create sustainable economies. For more info, check out fairtradefederation.org. An example from shopghia.com is the World Finds brand.

Socially responsible: These organizations often are committed to fair wages and benefits for workers, environmentally friendly products, and/or making a difference in their communities. Examples from shopghia.com include Thistle Farms and American Apparel.